Pablo Malo Segura
The Spanish Private Healthcare Alliance (ASPE) and the Portuguese Association of Private Hospitals (APHP) have celebrated the IV Iberian Summit of Private Healthcare in Madrid, which has had Türkiye as a guest country. During the event it was warned that “forgetting or underestimating the private sector puts citizens’ access to health at risk”. In addition, a collaboration commitment has been signed with the so-called Madrid Declarationwhich includes the main demands of the private sector.
Carlos Ruspresident of ASPE, highlighted that the meeting is an opportunity to share experiences to learn about the better practices of private healthcare and highlight the relevant role who plays in the sustainability of the health systems of Spain, Portugal and Türkiye. “We face common challenges that require innovative solutions: the management and planning of human resources, the implementation of new technologies or the relationship between healthcare provision and the insurance sector, which is strategic and must be established with transparency and trust”he has stated.
Oscar Gasparpresident of APHP, has stressed that the Private hospitalization activity in Portugal increased substantially in 2023, reinforcing its work in the Portuguese healthcare offer. “Private hospitalization has never been so active and served so many citizens. “We represent a third of the country’s hospital capacity.”, he has indicated. In addition, he commented that some of the common challenges that affect both countries are digital transformation, the European Health Data Space, sustainability or the shortage of human resources.
Carlos Rus (ASPE) has highlighted the relevant role that private healthcare plays in the sustainability of healthcare systems
According to the Madrid Declaration, has emphasized two sections. “In point 6, the private hospitals of Spain and Portugal warn about the need to take into account the evolution of health costs, inflation and the specificities of the sector. “In Portugal and Spain there are difficulties and obstacles against private initiative”. On the other hand, he has indicated that point 8 of the Declaration makes it clear that the hospitals of Spain and Portugal reject any discriminatory initiative between operatorsgiven that “They destructure the sector, create instability and penalize citizens and professionals. It is essential not to discriminate against the private sector and value private hospitals as a pillar of health systems since they carry out fundamental work.”
Paul Garassuspresident of the European Union of Private Hospitals (UEHP), an organization that brings together 5,000 private hospitals and clinics from seventeen European countries, has highlighted the private sector commitment to innovation developing new solutions for health systems. Furthermore, it has opted for the coordination between public and private, remembering that they are not enemies and their goal is the same: to obtain the best care for the patient. ““We need new generations to be involved to be able to develop new skills and solutions”he commented.
How can the shortage of professionals be solved?
The lack of health professionals It is compromising the sustainability of the National Health System. In 2027 it is estimated that the system will need about 9,000 more doctors per year to be able to meet the needs of patients. Furthermore, it is estimated that 6,000 family doctors will be missing in the next years. During the event, a round table took place, moderated by Juan Carlos Gonzálezcorporate director of Quirónsalud, titled Solutions to the shortage of professionals. What measures have been adopted in Spain and Portugal? The speakers have reflected on whether correct resource planning is being done, the measures that must be taken, the change in professionals’ priorities and the future challenges in this area.
Elisa Tarazona (Ribera Salud): “The lack of professionals is a huge health problem. “If we do not have professionals to prevent, diagnose or treat the disease, we will have more avoidable deaths.”
“Demand and needs increase and we need concrete actions to solve it. We must stop doing what has no value and focus on the patient’s needs. In this sense, the lack of professionals is a huge health problem. “If we do not have professionals to prevent, diagnose or treat the disease, we will have more preventable deaths due to physical or mental problems.”has pointed out Elisa TarazonaCEO of Ribera Salud.
Thus, he highlighted that some solutions to solve the shortage of professionals are increase both the number of MIR places and the speed of degree recognition. “While we are not using professionals there are people who are dying”, he lamented. He has also advocated reduce bureaucratic obstacles and make the system more agile, avoiding incompatibilities to work in the public and private sectors. “We cannot do things like we did 50 years ago. It is necessary to invest in new organizational forms and care for patients and their families, incorporating the added value of new technologies. He private sector has to provide innovation to provide solutions and improve service to citizens”. In short, he has indicated that a comprehensive view of health promoting prevention and early diagnosis.
Anabela Lobo de Carvalhodirector of human resources at Luz Saúde, has stressed the need to provide greater flexibility to health professionals so they can reconcile their work life with their leisure time. ““Professionals want to dedicate more time to their personal life and family”. In this line, Herminia Rodriguezvice president of San Roque University Hospitals, has indicated that there is a paradigm shift in priorities of the doctors.
Increase both the number of MIR places and the speed of homologation of degrees, improve the conditions of professionals and update training plans, proposals to alleviate this deficit of professionals
On the other hand, he has indicated that the training plans are outdated. “We must combine the modern vision of healthcare practice with training, since there is a very important gap”has added. Jose Vila Novaadministrator of Trofa Saúde, has regretted the difficulties that exist in Portugal to be able train doctors from the private sector. “We have been demanding a medical school for three years, but they won’t let us train doctors. Our priority is to increase the number of doctors in hospitals”, he stated. Likewise, she has pointed out that the current situation of high waiting lists only accentuates differences in health and access to the same among people according to their economic level.
Experiences and concerns of young European doctors
For his part, the Dr. Álvaro Ceramepresident of the European Junior Doctors (EJD), has given a conference on the experiences and concerns of young European doctors. The work focuses on the impact of these experiences on their professional and personal lives and reflects the need to carry out significant reforms to address the concerns of this group and improve the sustainability of the health system.
The conclusion of the study is that these professionals show a common feeling of job dissatisfaction due to three main factors: poor working conditions, deterioration in the quality of postgraduate training programs and difficulties in achieving a balance between work and personal life. Resident doctors place great importance on work flexibility, training and implementing measures to ensure a safe working environment. Specifically, they prioritize addressing work overload and excessive working hours.